Native American author Louise Erdrich '76 a finalist for this year's Pulitzer Prize in fiction will address the Class of 2009 as this year's Commencement speaker. Erdrich, a member of the first coeducational class at the College, will be the first female Dartmouth graduate to speak at Commencement.
Erdrich is the author of 14 novels, in addition to several poems, short stories and children's books, and has earned a number of awards, including the 1984 National Book Critics Circle Award for her novel "Love Medicine." Much of her writing, such as her Pulitzer Prize nominated "The Plague of Doves," focuses on the struggles of Native Americans to assume a unique identity in a European-American-dominated culture. Erdrich herself is a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians of North Dakota, but also has European ancestry.
"[Erdrich] is one of the outstanding American writers today and one who creatively shares the complexity and richness of the Native American experience, and indeed the history of all in the eastern Great Plains," College President James Wright said in a College press release.
Erdrich maintains a strong connection to the College, according to one of her four daughters, Aza Erdrich Dorris, who is a member of the Class of 2011. Erdrich's former husband Michael Dorris was a professor in the College's anthropology department and founded Dartmouth's Native American Studies Program. Dorris, who served as director of the program until 1984, co-authored a book with Erdrich in 1991. He passed away in 1997.
As the first female graduate of the College to speak at the event, Erdrich will offer a unique and personal perspective in her address to the Class of 2009, Erdrich Dorris told The Dartmouth.
"She can speak from a woman's perspective, and from the perspective of someone who's faced adversity," Erdrich Dorris said. "She has a lot of wisdom to impart on graduating seniors, and on just anyone who might be there."
When asked about her advice to graduating seniors, Erdrich pointed to the importance of perseverance.
"It is never easy to do what you love, but that is the only way to find happiness," she wrote in an e-mail to The Dartmouth. "And unless you're moderately happy, you won't affect others in a good way. So choose what you truly love to do and never give up, no matter what."
Erdrich's own experiences at the College will allow her to connect with graduates and students on a more personal level, her daughter said. She added that, as a student, Erdrich worked for Dartmouth Dining Services and "practically lived in Sanborn."
Erdrich Dorris said that her mother's experience as a writer will enable her to address the individual concerns of graduating seniors.
"She tells stories and she cares about stories; everyone has a story," said Erdrich Dorris. "She didn't go into writing to be famous, she went into writing to make art and to touch people."
Erdrich's personal struggles will also allow her to relate to graduates facing an uncertain economy and political climate, Erdrich Dorris said. Erdrich faced similar financial travails after her own graduation, as she did not come from a wealthy background, her daughter said.
Erdrich will have a more personal connection to students at Dartmouth than commencement speakers at many other schools, Peter Kitlas '09 said when asked his feeling on Erdrich's selection.
Other Ivy League Commencement speakers include CBS anchor Katie Couric at Princeton University, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu at Harvard University, Google CEO Eric Schmidt at University of Pennsylvania and foreign-policy commentator Fareed Zakaria at Brown University.
"I think with, say a politician as a Commencement speaker, you're likely to get a more general changing of the times' type of speech, while Erdrich will most likely focus more on Dartmouth and the students here," Kitlas said.
The College does not pay Commencement speakers apart from reimbursement for ancillary costs, unlike many of Dartmouth's peer institutions.
"[Payment] is basically irrelevant to her; it's much more about the honor," Erdrich Dorris said. "It's a big deal for her. I know she's really nervous, but she'll do great."
Each year, the Council on Honorary Degrees solicits nominations from students, faculty and administrators. The Council is composed of the senior Class Council president, the College President, three undergraduate professors and three graduate professors. Based on the Council's recommendations, the Board of Trustees and the College President determine the honorary degree recipients and the Commencement speaker.
Several students interviewed by The Dartmouth said that graduating seniors should have more influence in the selection of the Commencement speaker.
"I think seniors should have some input, or at least a greater knowledge of the process [of choosing a Commencement speaker]," Kitlas said.
Louise Erdrich is one of seven individuals who will receive honorary degrees at Commencement. Although she has been offered several honorary degrees by various schools, this is the first one she has accepted, Erdrich said in her e-mail.
